Robert Sciarrino/The Star-LedgerThreatening clouds fill the sky over morning motorists traveling on Route 80 as weather forecasters predict heavy rains and high winds for most of the day.

All good things must come to an end, at least for a day.

After a brilliant week of sunshine in New Jersey, severe weather is expected to rear its head in the Garden State today, potentially bringing high winds, flooding and even tornadoes to the state this afternoon.

Wind advisories are in effect across the state through midnight, and forecasters warn that gusts could top 50 mph at any point today. But the real threat will come from potentially severe thunderstorms this afternoon as a pair of storm fronts moves into the area.

The entire state, along with parts of Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland and Delaware, has been placed under tornado watch from noon until 7 p.m. by the National Weather Service. Wind gusts could near 70 mph during this time, and there is a potential for hail up to a half-inch in diameter.

The Storm Prediction Center has put all of New Jersey under a slight threat of severe thunderstorms today, and warns that there is a 10 percent chance that a tornado could form with any storms that develop anywhere in the state. The National Weather Service’s Mount Holly office said southern New Jersey appears, at this time, to be under the greatest threat of severe weather.

The Storm Prediction Center said strong vertical wind shear will be present across the state this afternoon, which can produce rotation in thunderstorms that spawns tornadoes.

Where severe storms develop, flooding will also be a chief concern.

“Locales hard hit by convection could see in excess of four inches anywhere in the forecast area,” wrote Mark Delisi, a forecaster with the National Weather Service.

In anticipation of the expected severe weather, NJ Transit announced they will be cross-honoring tickets on their train, bus and light rail services tonight and has positioned extra crews to respond to potential service disruptions.

But after a day of soggy and windy misery, New Jersey is once again expected to make a return to glorious weather. Sunny skies and temperatures in the 70s are expected through the weekend.

"Once the front goes through … it’ll be a return to the nice autumn-like weather," said Heavener. "It is really just one day you have to contend with."